It has just opened a few weeks ago but Emme (styled as ēmmē), a wood-fired restaurant at James Street, is quickly becoming a hotspot for food enthusiasts seeking a unique dining experience.
Formerly the site of Spoon Deli Cafe, this eatery, led by first-time restaurateur Thomas Tze Lian and business partner Sultan Amasheh, has already made its mark since opening earlier this year.
Chef Thomas, renowned for his stint as head chef at Greca, draws on his Greek culinary roots, whilst Mr Amasheh brings influences from his Moroccan and Jordanian heritage.
Photo credit: Emme/Instagram
Together, they have curated a menu that seamlessly blends flavours from the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa. Emme’s offerings span from breakfast to lunch, with a recently introduced dinner menu that promises to showcase their culinary prowess.
Photo credit: Emme/Instagram
The restaurant prides itself on its commitment to wood-fired cooking, with 80 percent of their dishes prepared using this traditional method. Already gaining acclaim are their signature dishes such as wood-fired pita bread and oysters, and the hearty combination of potatoes and eggs on sourdough for breakfast. Their lunch menu features delicacies like labneh, a nod to Sultan’s Middle Eastern roots.
Photo credit: Emme James Street/Google Maps
Looking forward, Emme is set to elevate the evening dining experience with a forthcoming Southeast Asian-inspired menu, a collaboration between Chef Thomas and celebrated chef Louis Tikaram. Expectations are high, especially for seafood enthusiasts, as they prepare to introduce a range of tantalising dishes complemented by a curated selection of wines.
Emme isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a culinary journey through diverse cultures, expertly brought together under one roof. Whether you’re seeking a robust breakfast, a flavorful lunch, or an innovative dinner experience, Emme invites you to indulge in their distinctive offerings at 3/22 James St, Fortitude Valley.
Newly opened Rico Bar & Dining on Eagle Street Pier brings an exciting fusion of Spanish, Australian and Latin cuisines to Brisbane’s bustling inner-city dining scene.
Photo credit: Rico Bar & Dining / Facebook
The man behind Eagle Street Pier’s latest hotspot is Michael Tassis, the culinary mastermind behind Massimo Restaurant & Bar and George’s Paragon Seafood Restaurant. Coming from a family that’s been running award-winning restaurants in NSW and Queensland for more than 30 years, Michael has over 25 years of experience as a restaurateur. His most recent venture, Massimo, impresses with its fresh take on Italian culinary arts.
This time around, Michael has drawn inspiration from Spanish and Latin cuisine in conceptualising Rico Bar & Dining’s menu line-up and overall concept. A day before the opening, Rico Bar and Dining gave a sneak preview of the interior, designed by the same team behind Massimo Restaurant.
57 Deliciosa Dishes
Headlining Rico’s 57 deliciosa menu line-up are the not-to-be-missed Paella, their Pintxo (Spanish Brioche Bug Roll), varied selection of tapas, meat raciones, and fresh-from-the-sea dishes.
The tapa line-up features a selection of slow-cooked, chargrilled lamb ribs, gambas al ajillo, calamari, chargrilled pork belly, empanadas with braised beef cheek, char-grilled octopus, eggplant fritters, and bone marrow.
Photo credit: Rico Bar & Dining / Facebook
Nibbles at the restaurant also include picadas, ceviche cured with lime, chilli and fresh herbs, ensalada, and oysters prepped seven ways at its Oyster Bar.
Photo credit: Rico Bar & Dining / Facebook
Photo credit: Rico Bar & Dining / Instagram
The main dishes are sure to whet your
appetite with its choices of chargrilled pork cutlet, braised beef cheek,
Argentinian style lamb shoulder slow-cooked to perfection, and chargrilled chicken
with chimichurri sauce.
Rico’s signature saffron-infused paella can be seafood, live marron, or vegetarian. (Photo credit: Rico Bar & Dining / Facebook)
For the seafood enthusiast, Rico has equally delectable creations, including ocean trout with saffron beurre blanc, chargrilled barramundi, whole baby South Australian squid with chimichurri, chargrilled live marron, and marinated snapper tail with chimichurri.
All the deliciousness ends with specially concocted desserts, which include Rico’s signature catalana. Check out their complete menu here.
To celebrate their Oct 11 opening, Rico Bar & Dining is giving complimentary cava to all diners upon arrival. Four lucky winners announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page will also be enjoying a $250 dining voucher on the day.
Sea to the City on Opening
Weekend
Rico Bar & Dining will cap its Opening Weekend as the first stop on the Brisbane Bug & Oyster Trail, with special dishes prepared for the Sea to the City event on Sunday, 13 October 2019. Now in its second year, the alfresco food trail will feature 17 of the best Brisbane riverside restaurants. The highlights of the trail also include Georges Paragon and Massimo Restaurant, among others.
Photo credit: Rico Bar & Dining / Instagram
Rico Bar & Dining’s special Sea to the City menu includes Mixed Dozen Oyster Plate with Four Sauces – mignonette, gazpacho, pink pepper and finger lime, along with Spanish Tempura Moreton Bay Bug on Brioche with Cos Lettuce, Chilli & Lime, Aioli. Diners will have a choice of red or white sangria to perfectly complement their meal.
Rico Bar & Dining promises to bring the best in fusion cuisine, blending different cultures through its exciting culinary creations. With stunning views of the city’s river and Story Bridge, this new Brisbane restaurant would be the ideal place for a romantic dinner, a solo dining experience or a simple catch-up with friends.
